How to Check URLs Before Clicking with Claude
Check URLs Before Clicking with Claude and ToolRouter. Scan suspicious links against threat intelligence feeds before opening them or sharing them with colleagues.
Tool
Security Scanner's `check_url` skill lets Claude query a URL against threat intelligence feeds and explain the verdict. Claude is well-suited here for walking through the result — distinguishing a clean score from ambiguous signals, correlating the URL structure with known phishing patterns, and recommending whether to proceed or escalate.
Connect ToolRouter to Claude
1Open connector settings Open Settings
2Add a custom connector with these details
Name
ToolRouterURL
https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp3Let Claude set you up Open Claude
Steps
Once connected (see setup above), use the Security Scanner tool:
- Paste the suspicious URL into the conversation and ask Claude to check it.
- Claude calls `security-scanner` with `check_url` and returns the threat intelligence verdict.
- Ask Claude to explain any flagged categories or ambiguous scores and whether the URL is safe to open.
- If flagged, ask Claude what indicators are most diagnostic and whether to escalate or block.
Example Prompt
Try this with Claude using the Security Scanner tool
Use security-scanner to check this URL: https://example-redirect.xyz/promo?ref=abc123. Tell me the threat intelligence verdict, which databases flagged it, what categories it was flagged under, and whether I should open it or block it.
Tips
- Check shortened URLs before expanding them — the destination may differ from the redirect chain.
- Ask Claude to compare the URL structure against common phishing patterns even if the reputation score is neutral.
- Scan URLs extracted from automated reports or third-party documents the same way you would scan links from unknown senders.